Accessing resources to build an organizational strategy and improve efficiency is essential for tackling the challenges of running a nonprofit, which often go beyond fundraising — a major endeavor on its own. Even when faced with tight budgets and small teams that are juggling multiple tasks and deadlines, there are some lesser-known tactics to try that could enhance your nonprofit’s effectiveness.
If you haven’t yet implemented the following procedures or approaches into your long-term plan, consider including them to help give your nonprofit the push it might need.
1. Drive marketing performance
If your organization is small or new, prioritize investing in effective digital tools, staff, or marketing agencies. There are numerous companies dedicated to nonprofit marketing that have invested in testing online channels and messages to attract and retain donors. These resources can also quickly adapt to changes in donor behavior. For instance, nonprofit revenue from monthly giving is up 6% in 2024, while revenue from one-time giving is down 5%.1 Whether internal or third-party, marketers should be regularly tracking behavior to identify trends like this and adjusting marketing strategies accordingly. The cost of these tools can often more than pay for themselves while minimizing your staff’s precious time.
Following are some of the latest marketing strategies that may be useful to employ in your efforts:
- Storytelling that creates an emotional connection to your cause
- Branding that incorporates accomplishments for building credibility, such as testimonials, case studies, statistics, news stories
- Fundraising campaigns during the holidays that are tied to long-term goals and inspire monthly giving or large donations
- Donation capabilities through mobile text and apps, as well as social media
- Artificial intelligence (AI) technology that can help you with efficient, consistent, and personalized messages
2. Prepare for economic challenges
Create a long-term financial and cash flow plan that can help your organization’s sustainability during difficult times such as recessions or high inflation. It can be beneficial to collaborate with an experienced financial advisor on a plan. You’ll want to be able to withstand the biggest challenges facing nonprofits in the U.S:2
- Rising operating expenses
- Lack of adequate finances/resources
- Limited staff capacity
- Difficulty recruiting and retaining quality staff
- Economic downturn/inflation
Effective steps may include diversifying income sources, cultivating and educating donors, leveraging technology, and forming partnerships with other nonprofits. To learn more, read: How Non-Profits Can Prepare for Economic Challenges.
3. Assess your cybersecurity risks
Nearly every type of organization is vulnerable to cybersecurity threat. When you store personally identifiable information and financial data electronically for processing donations, your nonprofit can be a desirable target for data breaches, malware, and hacking incidents. If you’re using an external firm for your organization’s bookkeeping, payroll, or online transactions, regularly review the third party’s operating procedures to ensure it’s committed to cybersecurity.
Take advantage of resources that are specifically for nonprofits, such as the free assessment tool offered by the Nonprofit Technology Network (NTEN) which offers a to help determine areas of improvement related to an organization’s security and risk. Microsoft also offers a free online security assessment for nonprofit organizations.
4. Foster organizational culture
With workload management being among the top challenges for nonprofits,3 it isn’t surprising that staff issues continue to persist. To recruit and maintain a dependable workforce, rely on human resources professionals that can keep you up to date on employee trends and provide you with actionable strategies. For example, 91% of employees prefer to work remotely most or all of the time, therefore, you’ll want to have in place the appropriate equipment, technology, policies, procedures, and more.4 In addition, offer competitive salaries and benefits including quality insurance and retirement savings plans. Tap into the expertise on your board; in addition to being part of your planned giving strategy, board members can bring valuable executive management skills to the table.
5. Attend a conference
You may want answers to these questions: What trends impact you the most? What are the current trends in planned giving? Are you getting the most out of your digital donation efforts? How can you craft a marketing message that demonstrates the essential nature of your mission in your community? What can you do to make your team feel appreciated?
Educate yourself and your team by attending a conference this year. The Mercer Advisors Endowment and Foundation Group holds conferences at many of our locations across the U.S. every year and provides complimentary access to thought leaders from nonprofit organizations. Attendees include nonprofit executive directors, development professionals, trustees, and donors. If you’re interest in attending one of our conferences, reach out to our Endowment and Foundation Group.
Need more help?
We’re here for you. Our seasoned Endowment and Foundation Group is made up of advisors who have spent decades partnering with endowments and foundations and serving on nonprofit boards in their own communities. In our roles as nonprofit board leaders and directors, we’ve had to make many of the same decisions as you. Our first bit of advice is to reward and take care of yourself for doing great work for your community and constituents. Secondly, don’t go it alone. If you want a partner to help with achieving your mission, let’s talk.
- “110+ Nonprofit Marketing Statistics and Insights You Should Know,” WPBeginner, Nov. 1, 2024.
- “Biggest challenges for nonprofit organizations in the United States in 2023,” Statista, Aug. 20, 2024.
- “Nonprofit Trends Report,” Salesforce, 2024.
- “Work from home: remote & hybrid work – Statistics & Facts,” Statista, June 14, 2024.
